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Fire in the Black Range explodes to 8,000 acres, Kingston evacuated

By Benjamin Fisher / bfisher@scsun-news.com

Posted:
06/11/2013 07:01:01 PM MDT

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The town of Kingston can be seen shrouded in smoke from the Silver Fire, now at nearly 8,000 acres. The town has been evacuated and 29 residents have been forced from their homes because of the fire, which is still zero percent contained and growing.

SILVER CITY — The Silver Fire in the Black Range exploded Monday night to nearly 8,000 acres and has since jumped Highway 152 to the north and is now only one mile from the evacuated town of Kingston and is still growing. It remains zero percent contained.

"Three things affect fire behavior, topography, fuel and weather. In all three of these areas, this fire is getting help," said Buck Wickham, operations chief for the Silver Fire. "The topography is extreme, and drought and beetles have created lots of tinder-dry dead trees and brush for fuel."

Fire Prevention Specialist Ellen Brown said the steep, rugged terrain and unsafe conditions on the ground for firefighters mean the fire is mainly being fought by air, with helicopter bucket drops and retardent dumps. At one point earlier on the fire, Hot Shot crews were dropped in to help aid the retardent dumps and to try to contain the perimeter of the fire, but were quickly pulled out because of the extreme dangerousness of the situation. Brown said some Hot Shots even turned down the assignment for fear of their safety.

The town of Kingston was evacuated at 1:40 a.m. Monday after a fire was spotted more than a mile ahead of the main fire and crossed a pre-established trigger point about two and a half miles from the town. As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, the fire has come within one mile of Kingston. Forest Service fire management officers reported every structure in the town has been "prepped" to reduce the chance of ignition.

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Woodpiles have been removed and bushes and trees have been trimmed away from structures. Twenty-nine residents of the town have been forced from their homes there and an evacuation center has been set up at the Hillsboro Community Center. The fire was reported to still be more than 10 miles from Hillsboro as of late Tuesday afternoon, and Hot Shot crews were on the ground there.

Forest Service helicopters were planning an infrared recon flight Tuesday night to more accurately map the acreage of the fire.

The closure of Highway 152 will remain in effect until further notice. Since the fire jumped the highway on Tuesday, the closure is expected to remain in place for an extended period of time. The longer the fire burns on the road, the longer maintenance is going to take, Fire Information Officer Rob Deyerberg said. Royal John Mine Road is also closed to the public but open to residents.

The Forest Service is taking efforts to prepare Hillsboro for fire impact, Brown said. She will be acting as a technical advisor during the preparation period but said that it would take a very severe event for Hillsboro to be impacted. The Forest Service held a community meeting in Hillsboro on Monday night, which Gov. Susana Martinez attended.

Despite plans to continue all suppression efforts, Brown said that at this time, the Forest Service estimates that this will be a season-ending fire with pockets remaining active throughout the season, until the monsoons come.

Nearly 400 personnel are on the fire, including seven Hot Shot crews, three 20-person crews, 10 engines, and two bulldozers. Due to the large amount of fire activity in the state, competition for resources is high.

The command post for the Silver Fire has been set up at the San Lorenzo Elementary School.

Stage one fire restrictions are in effect throughout the Gila National Forest. Silver Fire information: www.inciweb.org, or call 575-536-3382 or 575-536-3285

Benjamin Fisher can be reached at 575-538-5893 ext. 5803.

Peggy Platonos contributed to this report

Closures

— Highway 152 from San Lorenzo to Hillsboro from mile marker 16 to mile marker 40 has been closed. There is no estimate of reopening at this time. For more information: www.nmroads.com or call 511 in state or 1-800-432-4269 out of state.

— The Royal John Mine Road is closed to the public, but residents are being allowed access at this time.

The Gila National Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are only allowed in designated developed campgrounds and picnic areas, and must be in a Forest Service provided grill or fire ring. Fires in rock rings will not be allowed. The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices are acceptable, provided they meet the fire underwriter's specifications for safety. Smoking is limited to a vehicle, building, or threeÐfoot area cleared of all flammable materials.

For more information about the Silver Fire call: 575-388-8363 or go to www.inciweb.org